36 the   number   of   separate   enactments   and   generally   the   simplification   and modification of the law (section 3). 136.  Anyone may refer a proposal for the reform of the law to the UK Commission, but  the  Minister  must  approve  programmes  submitted  by  the  UK  Commission for the examination of different branches of the law before the Commission may pursue such an examination (sections 3(1)(a), (b) and (c)).   137.  It is also a function of the UK Commission to provide advice and information to government  departments  and  other  authorities  or  bodies  concerned  at  the instance of the Government with proposals for the reform or amendment of any branch of the law (section 3(1)(e)).    138.  The UK Commission is largely the same body now as it was at its inception in 1965, and it seems likely to remain that way for some time yet. One hundred UK Commission  Reports  had  been  implemented  by  1998,  with  an  average  rate  of implementation of reports over the life of the Commission of about 70 percent.³⁹ 139.  In  1996/97  the  UK  Commission  underwent  a  quinquennial  review,  through  its own  working  party  established  for  the  purpose  and  also  through  the  Lord Chancellor’s Department. 140.  All  non-departmental  public  bodies  in  the  United  Kingdom  must  be  reviewed every five years.  These quinquennial reviews are required to take a radical look at the body concerned, and ask: ·   Whether the functions the agency fulfils still need to be done at all? ·   If yes, do those functions still need to be done on the Minister’s behalf by the public sector or could they be better performed by the private sector? ·   About  the  degree  of  potential  for  increasing  the  efficient  and  effective performance  of  the  agency’s  operations   through  more  partnerships  with other organisations?                                                  39   Annual Report of the UK Commission 1998, available at www.open.gov.uk/lawcomm/library.htm.